Automatic towel cabinet



4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 30, 1932 J. N, BORROUGHS EI' AL.

AUTOMATIC TOWEL CABINET Magy 16, '1933,

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May 16, 1933. .1, N. BORROUGHS Er AL 1,909,804

AUTOMATIC TOWEL CABINET Filed Aug. .'50, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 16, 1933. 1 N. BoRRoUGHs Er AL 1,909,804

AUTOMAT IC TOWEL CABINET Filed Aug. 30, 1952 4'Sl 1eets-Sheet 3 0 O O O O O O O O INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.-

May 19, 1993. J. N. BQRROUGHS ET AL 1,909,804

AUTOMATIC TOWEL CABINET Filed Aug. 30, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. g4 WQ?? 5^ Patented May 16, 1933 9 UNITED STATES PATENT: .OFFICE-f A` `J v.I'OSE'EI'I NNBORROUGHS, OF PEDMONT, AND CHARLES A.OLD, OF OAKLAND, CALI- FORNIA; ASSIGNORS TO OAKLAND-CALIFORNIA TOWEL COMPANY, OFfOAKLANDJ- L CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA AUTOMATIC TOWEL lCABINET Application led -August 30, 1932.` Serial No. 630,992. y i i i This invention is an automatic towel cabinet, which-is especially adapted for use in public Washl rooms as directed to hotels, theatres, railway stations and other public places, and is intended to provide a completely sanitary towel service.

The main object of the invention is to provide a towel cabinet in which the towel is normally completely enclosed, and in which a clean `portion of towel is presented for use without the' necessity of contacting the hands with any portion of the equipment or with the towel.

Another object of the invention is to pro "vide a towel cabinet as outlined, which is operated' a f oot treadle, which automatically opens a slidedoor providing access to lthe towel and feeds a predetermined portion of clean towel from a roll of toweling in po sition for use each time the treadle is depressed, the door automatically closing when the treadle is released.

i Another object of the invention is to pro'- vide a device as outlined in which complete closing of the door is required before an additional clean towel can be fed for use, obviating waste rof cleanv toweling which might occur if all movements ofthe treadle were to feed the toweling. f V

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description is read on the drawings forming a part of this specificationand in which similarreference characters are used to indicate similar parts throughout the several views 'and in' which Y Fig'.1 l is'a yfront 'view ofthe invention showing the treadle depressed, the slide door open andthe towel presented for use.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionalelevation of the invention with the front door and slide door both open.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 except with the slide door closed'and including the web path androll of toweling.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the invention with the front door open and slide door closed. l

jFig. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the towel feeding mechanism with rolls removed.

Ving the ends of the rolls.A

Fig. 6 is a frontview of Fig. 5 and includ'- Y. -Fig. 7 is a detail View ofthestop mechanism. Y w

Fig. s is a detail View of the Slide door `11a "55 rod connection. Q i

Fig. 9 indicates the urging means forfthe idle rollers.

Fig. l0 is a detail view of the treadle connection for operating the slide door.' y

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary front 'elevation ofthe feed mechanism housing showing the lower feed rol/l and guard. l 'f- Fig. l12 is a sectional view showing the rea'r support for the feed mechanism housing.`

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line 13`13fof Figll. f

F ig. 14"is a? section taken on line 14-14 ofFig. 1l. j'" The invention consists of 'a cab'inetwhich L 'is normally entirely closed, and -which isI provided with a front door for gainingaccess to the interior of the cabinet, the frontdoor being provided withV a slide door for gaining access to the towel loop: A rack for supporting a roll of toweling,`feeding mechanism for the toweling, drivingv mechanism for the feeding mechanism, actuating mechanism for the driving mechanism, lifting mechanism for the slide door, retarding mechanism for the closing of the slide door and governing means for1 the feedingv mechanism, the entire unit being operated by a single depression of the foot treadle, the governing mechanism pre'- ventingpartial feeding of thel towelor ythe feeding of a'second portion of towel until a full cycle is completed and the slide dooris fully closed. The cabinet consists of sides 15' and 16, back 17 top 18, bottom 19` and a frontV foot panel 2O forming a pocket for the reception of soiled toweling. 'Y

The front door 21 is hinged as indicated 'at 22 and has anopening'28 at a suitable height .95 for convenient use of thel towel. This `open'- ing is normally closed by `a slide door 24 which is provided with tongues 25 slidable in grooves 26 and Aprovided with a hinged'pivot member 27. *A slot 28 is fprovidedin the 100 front foot panel 20 for the'treadle. f

Vdriven rollers are preferably covered with feed mechanism housing.

rubber so aste provide the necessary friction for 'feeding the toweling. A guard 38 is pivotally suspended beneath the idle roller 36 to prevent creeping of the toweling about the roller.

A guard is pivotally suspended from the driven roller35 and consists of a plurality of spaced hangers 39 which are rotatable in ,grooves formed in the roller 35 and are secured at their lower ends by a bar 40, and is adapted to prevent creeping of the toweling about the roller.

A A guard 41 is pivotally suspended and normally supported by the toweling on roller 35 and is adapted to prevent the toweling from above engaging the lower rolls, and may be raised to permit threading of the web.

The idle rollers are rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 42 which have fiatted sides and are slidable but non-rotatable in slots 43 formed in the side members 44 and 45 of the Springs 46 have their opposite ends respectively secured in the bearing blocks and to the roll housing, and

urge the idle rollers into contact with the driven or feed rollers.

. The driving mechanism for the feeding mechanism` consists of sprockets 47 and 48 secured on the journals 49 and 50 of feed rolls 35 and 34, A sprocket 51 rotatably vmounted on a pivot 52, and a circumambient sprocket chain 53 cooperating with `the three sprockets, the ends of journals 49 and 50 be- V-ing `rotatably mounted in bearings secured in the end plate 54. A

Rotatably mounted on pivot 52 is a ratchet 55, which cooperates with a pawl 56 which is pivotally secured at 57 to the sprocket 51, a spring 58 urging the pawl to cooperate with the sprocket.

Fixedly secured to or integral with the ratchet is a sprocket 59 which cooperates with a chain 60, the pivot 52 being secured in the housing plates 44 and 54.

The ournals at the other end of rollers 34 and 35 are rotatably mounted in bearings secured in the plate 45 as sho-wn at 61 and 62.

A back plate 63 together with end plates 45 and 54 and intermediate plate 44 completes the housing for the feed mechanism and is removably mounted in the cabinet by means of a rear angle support 64 the horizontal leg ofV which is bent at right kangles forming brackets 65 which are secured to the sides of the cabinet. The vertical leg is provided with slots 66which are adapted to receive the side and intermediate walls 45, 54 and 44, thus gositioning the housing in the cabinet.

crews 67 may be provided for Xidly securing the housing in position, if desired. The forward end of the housing is supported by brackets 68 and 69 which are mounted on the cabinet sides.

The actuating mechanism for the driving mechanism consists of a treadle `7() which is pivoted at 71 and operates through a slot 28' inthe. front foot-panel. Aconnecting rod 72 -is secured at one end to the chain 6() which cooperates with the sprocket 59 and has the other end attached to the treadle through an 'interposed tension spring 73, Vthe other end ofchain 60 being connected topa lever 74 which is pivoted at 75 and which is resiliently retracted by a spring 76, which is anchored to the side of the cabinet.

The lifting mechanism for the slide door consists of a connecting rodv 77 connected at one endA to the treadle and at the other end to a chain 78 which cooperates withk `a sprocket or hub 79 which is integral with a lever 80, the sprocket being rotatably mounted in a housing 81 which is secured to theside of the cabinet. n y i The hinged pivot member 27 is secured adjacent the lower edge o-f the slide door and consists of a strap member 27 to which is hinged an ear 82 intowhich is pivoted a connecting rod 83, the other end-of this connecting rod being pivotally connected' at 84 to lever'80. Y Y Y The retarding mechanism forvthey closing of the slide door consists of a connecting rod 85 which has one end connected to the treadle 70 and the other endconnectedl to a lever 86 which has one end pivotally secured as at 87 to the side of the cabinet, the other f end cooperating with the connecting rod88 of an air cylinder 89, this air cylinder being of the usual construction having a Vregulating valve 90 for governing the` retarding action of the piston, this cylinder being pivotally mounted as indicated at, 91. .i y f The governing means for the feeding mechanism consists of a pawl 92 which isv pivotally mounted on plate 54 as indicated at 93and is adapted to lock the chain 53 against movement by cooperationof the tongue 94 with the chain rollers, an extension 95 having pivotally connected thereto a connecting rod 96 which is slidable in the guide 97 and has a recess formed inside which is adapted to c-ooperate with a leaf spring 98 to resiliently lock the pawl 92 in engagement with the chain 53. Secured to the lower end ofjrod 96 is a yoke 99 which straddles connecting rod 72 which is freely slidable in the yoke. Adjustably secured on connecting rod 72 are two collars 100 and 101 which areadapted to cooperate with the yoke 99.

The web path follows from the roll of toweling 33 up the inclined front as indicated at 102 thence over the cylindrical member 31, thence, downwardly and back of rollers 34 as indicated at 103 thence under and between rollers 34 and 36, a loop being formed at 104 extending to the bottom of door opening 23 upwardlyover roller 35 thencebetween rollers 35 and 37, thence being free to deposit inthe receptacle formed at cooperating with any portion of the toweling,

the end of the towel is thenv passed upwardly between rollers 34 and 36 `and suflicient towel drawn'through to form the loop 104 the end 4of the towel being then passed lunder deflector 41 and downwardly between roller-s 35 and 37. The device is then ready for use.

The operation of the towel cabinet is as follows: 1

With the front door closed the treadle is depressed which through connecting rod 77, chain 78, sprocket 79, swings lever from the position shown in Fig. 3 vto that shown in Fig. 2 whichthrough connecting rod 83 raises slide door 24 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 2. Coincidently the piston in cylinder 89 is retracted through connecting rod 85 and lever 86 setting the retarding mechanism. Coincidently through spring 73, connecting rod 72, chain 60, ratchet 55 is rotated coincidently rotating sprocket 5'1by cooperation with pawl 56 and driving thereby sprockets 48 and 47 through chain 53, thereby feeding a length of toweling depending on the spacing of the collars and 101; K

As the treadle reaches the bottom of its stroke collar 101 engages yoke 99, pulling down connecting rod 96 and causing tongue 94 on pawl 92 to engage chain 53 preventing further movement of the towel, the spring 98 engaging recess 107 and retaining the pawl in locked position. As the treadle is released the weight of the slide door `and various springs react against the piston in lcylinder 89 which retards the movement of the slide door 24, spring 76 retracting chain 60 and coincidently ratchet 55 preparatory for the next operation; The final return movement of treadle 70which coincides wit h the final closing movement of slide door 24 permits collar 100 to cooperate with yoke 99, raising connecting rod 96 and releasing tongue 94 from chain 53.

From the foregoing it will be noted that there can be no feeding movement'of the toweling until the full cycle is completed after depression of the treadle. .The feeding mechanism vis positively vlocked by the pawl 1 92 during the entire return movement of the treadle, which is obviously coincident with the closing of the slide door.

The device is sanitary, does not require contact of the hands with any portion of soiled toweling, the toweling is ralways enclosed except during the time ofu'se and there is no possibility of soiled towell being presented Having described an operative device, it will be vunderstood that variations in construction and arrangementv of parts which are consistent with the appended claims may be resorted to without detracting from Athe spirit or scope of the invention or-sacriiicing any of its advantages.

We claim:

1. A towel cabinet incombinatiomiadjustable feeding means for feeding-toweling in predetermined lengths, a treadle, Aactuating' means operablej by; depression of said treadle for actuating said feeding means, and

locking means for said feeding means connected to portions'of the actuating means and actuated by the final downward movement of said treadle andgreleased by the final upward movement of said treadle. Y i 2. Atowel cabinet, in combination, a closure for said cabinet normally retained in closed position, adjustable feeding means for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, a treadle, means operable by depression of said treadle for coincidently actuating said feeding meansand opening said closure and lock# ing means for said feeding means connected to portions of said actuating means and actuated by the final downward movement of said treadle and released by the final upward movement of said treadle. i

3. In a towelcabinet,anormallycloseddoor means for feeding toweling in predetermined portions in registry with said door, a treadle, means actuated by depression of said treadle for operating said feeding means and coin cidently opening said door and means coop` erating with said treadle actuated means for locking said feeding means (coincidently with the final downward movement of said treadle and for releasing said locking means coincidently with the final upward movement of said treadle.

4. A towel cabinet, in combination, aclosure for said cabinet normally retained in closed position, adjustable feeding means for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, a treadle, means operable by depression `of said treadle for coincidently actuating said feeding means and opening said closure, and locking means for said feeding means connected to portions of said actuating means and actuated by the final downward movement of said treadle and released by the final upward movement of said treadle, said closure consisting of a door vertically slidable to open position, and retarding means for retarding the closing movement of said door, to prevent closed position, adjustable feedingmeans for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, a

`treadle, means operable by depression of said treadle for coineidently actuating said feeding means and openingsaid closure, and locking means for said feeding means connected to portions of said actuating means and actuated by the final downward movement of said treadle and released by the final upward movement of said treadle, said feeding means consisting of two pairs of rolls spaced apart, each pair consisting of a master roll and a peripherally cooperating idler roll, a driven sprocket fixed to one end of each master roll, a drive sprocket'freelyrotatable and cooperating with said driven sprockets through a circumambient chain, said actuating means comprising a pawl on said drive sprocket, a ratchet coaxial with said drive sprocket, an actuating sprocket integral with or secured to said ratchet and coaxial therewith and a chain cooperating with said actuating sprocket and with said treadle.

l 6. A towel cabinet, in combination, a closure for said cabinet normally retained in closed position, adjustable feeding means for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, a treadle, means operable by depression of said treadle for coincident-ly actuating said feeding means and opening said closure, and locking means for said feeding means connected to portions of said actuating means and actuated by the final downward movement of said treadle and released by the final upward movement of said treadle, said closure con sisting of a door vertically lslid'able to open position, and retarding means for retarding the closing movement of said door,'to prevent injury to the user or operator,vsaid retarding means comprising an air cylinder operatively connected to said treadle to retard the return movement thereof, said feeding means cOnsisting of two pairs of rolls spaced apart, each pair consisting of a master roll and a peripherally cooperating idler roll, a driven sprocket fixed to oneend of each master roll, a drive sprocket freely rotatable and cooperating with said driven sprockets through a circumambient chain, said actuating means comprising a pawl on said drive sprocket, a ratchet coaxial with said drive sprocket, an actuating sprocket integral with or secured to said ratchet and coaxial therewith, and-a chain cooperating with said f actuating sprocket and with said treadle.

7. In a towel cabinet, a normally closed door vertically slidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of toweling in predetermined lengths, actuating -andpawl for driving 4sprocketfixedto said pawl and a chain co- Vmeans operably connected to the-treadle for actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with said actuating means to lock the .feeding meansY with the final downward movement of the treadle and to release .the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle,

door raising means actuated by depression of said treadle and retarding means for retarding the closin" movement of said door,v .whereby injury tothe userv is actuating means to lock the feeding means y withthe final .downward movement of the treadle and release the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle, door raising means actuated by depression of said treadle and retarding means for retardling ythe closing movement of. said door,

`whereby iiij ury to the user is prevented when the treadle is released, said feeding means consisting of aplurality of pairs of rolls, each pair consisting of a master roll and a peripherally cooperating idler roll, a chain drive for driving said master rolls in unison, said actuating means'consisting of a ratchet saidv driving means, a

operating'intermediate its length with the sprocket and having one end connected to the treadle through an interposed connecting rod and a-tension spring, and a spring. cooperating between the other end and the cabinet for fiso retracting the chain and raising the treadle. f

9. In a towel cabinet, a normally closed door vertically slidable'to open "position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding. a web of towelin g in predetermined lengths, actuating means for said feedingmeans, locking means for saidfeeding means cooperating with lsaid actuating means to lock the feeding means with the final downward movementof the tieadle and release .the feeding means-with ther final upwardmovement ofthe treadle,

door raising means, actuated by depression of said treadle and retarding means-for re'- tarding the closing movement ofsaid door, whereby injury to the user is preventedwhen the treadle is released, Saidfeeding means consisting of a plural-ity. of pairs of rolls, each pair consistingl of a" master roll and a peripherally cooperating idler roll, la chain drive for driving said master .rolls in unison,

said actuating means consisting of "a ratchet and pawl for driving'said driving means, a sprocket fixed to said pawl and ai chain cooperating intermediate its length-with thel sprocketand having one end connected to the treadle through an interposed connecting rod and a tension spring, and a spring cooperating between the other end and the cabinet for retracting thechain and raising the treadle, said locking means comprisingan intermediately pivoted pawl mounted for cooperation with said chain drive, an actuating rod and a guide therefor, a recess formed in the side of the actuating rod, a leaf spring mounted to cooperate with said recess to retain the pawl in engagement with the chain drive, two spaced apart collars on said interposed connecting rod and adjustably secured thereon, and a yoke on said actuating rodfor cooperation with said collars, whereby when the actuating rod is moved by the connecting rod to one position, the pawl engages the chain drive andthe leaf spring resiliently secure the actuating rod, movement of the actuating rod to Vits other position releasing the pawl from the chain drive.

l0. In a towel cabinet, a normally closed door vertically slidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of toweling in predetermined lengths, actuating .means operably connected to the treadle for actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with said actuating means to lock the feeding means with the final downward movement ofthe treadle and to release the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle, door raising means actuated by depression of said treadleand retarding means for retarding the closing movement of said door, whereby injury to the user is prevented when the treadle is released, said door raising means comprising a Tlever pivotally mounted, a vconnecting rod cooperating between the door and` the'lever to 'raise the .'door, a hub.` on the'lever, and a chain cooperating between the periphery of the hub and the treadle, wherebydepression of the treadle will raise the door. Y Y

l1. In a-towel cabinet, a normally closed door vertically slidable to open position, a`

treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of towelingin predetermined lengths, actuating'means operablyconnected to the treadle forvv actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with said actuating means-to lock the feeding means with the final downward movement of the treadle and to release the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle, door raising means actuated by depression' of said treadle and retardingY means for retarding the closing movement of said door, whereby injury to the user is prevented when the treadle is released, said feeding means consistingofa plurality of pairsof rolls, each pair consisting of a master 'roll and a' peripherally cooperating idler roll, a chain drive for driving said master rolls in unison, said actuating means consisting of a'ratchet and pawl for driving said driving means, a sprocket lixed to saidfpawl and a chain cooperating intermediate its length with the sprocket and havingone end connected to the treadle through an interposed connecting rod and a tension spring, anda spring cooperating between the other end and the cabinet for retracting the chaiu and raising the treadle, said door raisingmeans comprising a lever pivotally mounted,

,75d door and the lever to raise the door, a hub on a connecting rod cooperating between the treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of. toweling in predetermined lengths, actuating means operablyrconnected to the treadle for actuating said feeding means, `locking means for said feeding means cooperating' with said actuating means to lock the feedingmeans with the linal downward move.

ment of the treadle and to release the feeding means with the yfinal upward movement Y of the treadle, door raising means actuatedby depression of said treadle and retarding means for retarding the closingrmovement Y of said door, whereby injury to the user is feeding means consisting of a pluralityV of .95 Y prevented when the treadleV is` released, saidV pairs of rolls, each pair consisting'of a masi ter roll and a peripherally cooperating idler:N roll, a .chain drive for drivingsaid 'masterf rolls in unison, said actuating means oon- 1 sisting of a ratchet and pawlfor driving said driving means, a sprocket `fixed to said pawl and achain cooperating intermediate its length with the sprocket and having one end connected to the treadle through an interposed connecting rod and a tension spring, and a springcooperating between the otherv end and the cabinet for retracting the chain and raising the treadle, said locking means drive, an actuating'rod and a guide therefor, a recess formed in theside of theactuating rod, a leaf spring mounted tocooperatewith said recess to retain the pawl in engagement -ll0 comprising an intermediately pivoted pawl mounted for cooperation with said chain' with the chain drive, twofspacedapart col- Y lars on said interposed connecting rod and adjustablyv secured thereon, and a yoke on l' said actuating rod for cooperationwith said collars, whereby when the actuating rod, isl

moved by theconnecting rod to one position,f

the pawl engages the chain drive and the leaf spring resiliently secures theV actuating rod, movement of the' actuating rod `to` its other position releasing `the pawl fromy the` chain drive, said door raising means comprlslng a lever pivotally mounted, a connecting rod cooperating between the door and theol lever to raise the door, a hub on' the lever, and

a chaincooperating between the periphery of the hub andthe treadle, whereby depres-y sion ofthe treadle will raise the door.

13;'In a towel cabinet,anormallyclosed door Uf vertically slidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of toweling inpredetermined lengths, actuating' meansA Y 393 raising means actuated by depression ofsaid treadle and i'etarding means for retaiding the closing movement of said door, whereby injury to the user is prevented when the treadle is released, said retarding means com- 201? prisingan air cylinder operativelyl connected to said treadle to retard the return movement thereof.

Y 14. 'A towel cabinet incombin'ation, adjustable feeding means for*V feeding toweling l'in predetermined lengths, a treadle, actuating .means operable by depression of said treadle for 'actuating said feeding means, and locking means connectedl to portions of the. actuating means andv actuated bythe 3Qlfinal'downward movement of said ytreadle and released by the final upward movement of said treadle, said locking means consisting of a, pawl mountedn for cooperative engagement with thefeeding means and movable i-'Tinto and out of engagement by the actuating Vmeans at the terminalsof movement thereof, andmeans for'retaining the pawl in engagement during movement of the actuating means in one direction of movement, where- 9T-.by the feeding means is locked against movement until movement of the actuating means in said one-direction is completed.

15. A towel cabinet, in combination, a closure for said cabinetv normally retained in {ti'closed position, adjustable feeding means for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, atreadle, means operableby depression of said treadle for coincidently actuating said feeding means, and opening said closure, and floeking'means for said feeding means connected to vportions of said actuating means and actuatedbythe linal downward movement ofsaid treadle and released by the final upward movement of said treadle, said fflocking means consisting of a pawl mounted for cooperativeengagement with the feeding means and movable into and out of Cngagement by the actuating means at the ter.- minals of movementthereef, and means for "retaining the pawl in` engagement during movement of the actuating means in one direction ofV movement, whereby the Afeeding means is locked against movement until movement of the'actuatingmeans in said one Gil direction is completed.

16. A towel cabinet, in combination, a closure for said cabinet normally retained'in closed position, adjustable feeding means for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, a" treadle, means voperable by depression of` said treadle for coincidently actuating said feedingmeans and opening said closure,and locking means for said feeding means connected to portions of said actuating' means and aetuated by the final downward movement of. said treadle and released by the'iinal upward movement of said treadle, said feeding means consisting of two pairs of rolls spaced apart, each pair consisting` of a master roll and a peripherally cooperating idler roll, a driven` sprocket iixedto one end of each-master roll',

an actuating sprocket'integral withor se cured to said ratchet and coaxial therewith and a chain cooperatingv with said actuating` sprocket and with said treadle, said locking means consisting of a-pawl mountedffor. co-v operative engagement with .the feeding means and movable into and outofengagement by the actuating-means at the terminals of movement thereof, and means for retaining the pawl in engagement vduring-movement of the vactuating means in one direction of movement, whereby the feeding'means is lockedl against movementuntilmovement of the actuating means in said one direction is completed.v

17'. A towel cabinet, in combination, a closure for said cabinet normally retained in closed position, adjustable feeding means for feeding toweling in predetermined lengths, a treadle, means operable by depression of said treadle for c'o-incidently actuating said kfeeding means and opening said closure, and

locking means for said feeding means connected to portions of said actuating means and actuated by the final downward moveiio ment of said treadle and released by the' final upward movement of saidl treadle, said closure consisting of ado-or vertically slidable to open position, and'retarding means for retarding the-closing movement of vsaid door,

to .prevent injury to the user or operator,

said retarding means comprising an air cylinder operatively connected to said treadle toretard the return'movement thereof, said feeding means consisting of two pairs of rolls spacedk apart, each pair consisting of a master roll and a peripherally cooperating' idlerV roll, a driven sprocket fixed to one endjofeach master roll, Ya drive vsprocket freely Yrotatable and cooperatingy with said driven sprockets through a circumambientrchain, said actuating means comprisingy a` pawl on said drive sprocket, a ratchet coaxial with"V said rdrive sprocket, an actuating sprocket pawl mounted for cooperative engagement.A

with the feeding means and movable into and out of engagement by the actuating means at the terminals ofrmovementthereof, and

means for retaining the pawl in engagement during movement of the actuating means in one direction of movement, whereby the feeding means is locked againstmovement until movement of the actuating means in said one direction is completed. x t

18. In a towel cabinet, a normally Aclosed door vertically slidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of toweling in predetermined lengths, actuating means operably connected to the treadle for actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with said actuating means to lock the feeding meansV with the final downward movement of the treadle and to release the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle, door raising means actuated byydepression of said treadle and rctarding means for retarding the closing movement of saidV door, whereby injury to the user is preventd ed when the treadle 1s released, saidlockmg means consisting of a pawl mounted for cooperative engagement with the feeding means and movable into and out of engagement by the actuating meansV at the terminals of movement thereof, and means for retaining the pawl in engagement during movement of the actuating means in one direction of movement, whereby the feeding means is locked against movement until movement of the actuating means in said one direction is completed.

19. In a towel cabinet, a normally closed door vertically slidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of ltoweling in predetermined lengths, actuating means operably connected to the treadle for actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with said actuating means Vto lock the feeding means f'with the final downward movement of the treadle and to release the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle. door raising means actuated by depression of said treadle and retarding means for retard ing the closing movement of said door, whereby injury to the user is prevented when the treadle is released, said feeding means comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls, each pair consisting of a master roll and a periph- -erally cooperating idler roll, a chain drive for driving said master rolls in unison, said actuating means comprising a ratchet and pawl for driving said chain drive, a sprocket fixed to said pawl and a. chain cooperating intermediate its length with the sprocket and having one end connected'to the treadle:

through an interposed connecting rod and a tension spring, and a springv cooperating between the other'end and the cabinet for retracting the chain and raising the treadle, said locking means consisting: of a pawl mounted for cooperative engagement with the feeding means and movable into and out of engagement bythe actuating means at the terminals of movement thereof, and means for retaining the pawl in engagement during movement ofthe actuatingmeans in one direction of movement, whereby the feeding means Vis locked against movement until movement of the actuating means in said one direction is completed.,r

20. In awtowel cabinet, a: normally closed' door vertically slidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of towelin g inpredeterminedy lengths, actuating means operably connected to the treadle for actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with saidactuating means to lock the feeding means with lthe final downward movement of the treadle and to release the feeding means with Y the treadle is released, said doorV raisingV means comprising a lever Vpivotally mounted, a -connecting rod cooperating between the door and the lever to raise the door, a hub on the lever, and a chain cooperating between the periphery of the hub and the treadle,`

whereby depression of the treadle will raise the,door,said locking means consisting of a pawl mountedgfor cooperative engagement with the feeding means vand movablevinto and out of engagement by theactuating i means at the terminals of movement thereof,

and `meanslfor retaining the pawl in engagey ment during movement of the actuating means in one direction of movement, whereby the feeding means is Vlocked against movement until movement of the actuating means in said onevdirection is completed.

42l. In a towel cabinet, a normaly closed doorfvertically siidable to open position, a treadle, feeding means vfor feeding a web of toweling in predetermined lengths, ac-

tuating means operably connected to the.

treadle for actuating said feeding mea-ns, locking means for said feeding means cooperatingwith said `actuating means toV lock the feeding means Vwith the final` downward movement of the treadle,-and to release the feeding means with, the final upward movement of the ,treadle, door raising means ac-` tuated by depression of said treadle and rei tarding meansV for j retarding the closing movement of Ysaid door, whereby injury to the userA is prevented whengthe treadle is reion leased, said feeding means comprising a plurality of pairs of rolls, each pair consisting of a master roll and a. peripherally cooperating idler roll, afchain drive for driving said master rolls in unison, said actuating nmeans comprising a ratchet and pawl for driving said chain drive, a sprocket fixed to said pawl and a chain cooperating intermediate its length with the sprocket and having one l0"l end connected to the treadle through an interposed connecting rod and a tension spring, and a spring cooperating between the other end and the cabinet for retracting the chain and raising the treadle, said door raising 1.5' means comprising a lever pivotally mounted, a connecting rod cooperating betweenthe door and the lever to raise the door, a hub on the lever, and a chain cooperating between the periphery of the hub and the treadle, whereby depression ofthe treadle will raise the door, said locking means consisting of a pawl mounted for cooperative engagement with the feeding means and movable into and out of engagement by the ac- Z'T-tuating means at the terminals of movement thereof, and means for retaining the pawl in engagement during movement ofthe actuating means in one direction of movement, whereby the feeding means is locked gg against movement until movement of the acy tuating means in said one AVdirection is completed. f

22. In a towel cabinet, a normally Yclosed door vertically slidable to open position, a-

treadle, feeding means for feeding a web of toweling in predetermned lengths, actuating means operably connected to the treadle for actuating said feeding means, locking means for said feeding means cooperating with said @i actuating means to lock the feeding means with the final downward movement of the treadle and to release the feeding means with the final upward movement of the treadle,

u door-raisingA means actuated by depression fof saidtreadle and retarding means for retarding the closing movement of said door, whereby injury to the user is prevented when the treadle is released, said retarding means comprising an air cylinder operatively con- @infected to said treadle to retard the return movement thereof, said -lockmg means consisting of a pawl mounted for cooperative engagement with the feeding means and movable into and out of engagement by the LX"V-actuating means at theI terminals of movement thereof, and means for retainingfthe pawl in engagement during movement of the actuating means in one direction of movei ment, whereby the feeding means is locked @"against movement until movement of the actuating means in said one direction is completed. i v

23. In a towel cabinet having a chain drive, and actuating means having a con- E 'necting rod, locking means comprising an intermediately pivoted pawl 4mounted forl cooperation with said chain drive, an actuating rod and a guide therefor, val recess formed in the side of the actuating rod, a 'leaf spring mounted to cooperate with said recess to retain the pawl in engagement with the chain drive, two spaced apart collars on said interposed connecting rod and adjustably secured thereon, and a yoke on said actuating rod for cooperation withsaid collars,

whereby, when the actuating rod is movedy by the connecting rod to one position, the pawl engages the chain drive and the leaf spring resiliently secures the actuating rod, movement of the actuating rod to its other position releasing the pawl from the chainV drive.

24. In a towel cabinet having feedingl In testimony whereof we affix our signature. Y

JOSEPH N. BORROUGI-IS. CHARLES A. OLD. 

